Page 56 of Until Death or Defeat

“I’m fine, but you guys need some sort of security system here or something,” she says as Max puts a hand on her shoulder. He smirks at me when he sees me staring at his hand, and eventually takes it off.

“Well it’s probably better if at least one of us or one of the trusted men are here at all times with her. I’ve already discussed it with Mikhail and Aleksander,” Roman says flatly as he takes a seat on the couch.

“I don’t need a babysitter, I’m an adult. Just give me a gun or something,” she says and we all chuckle. “That isn’t funny. I’ve shot a gun before, and it only makes sense. Just because I got upset before doesn’t mean I’ll shoot one of you,” she says glaring at me.

“I think it’s better our hot-headed mafia princess isn’t capable of committing a crime of passion,” Max says with a smile as he walks over to find a drink.

“I told you to stop calling me that.”

“I could always call you sunshine,” he says, looking at me.

Motherfucker, I mouth.

“Why would you call me that?” she asks, bobbing her head toward him. “That nickname doesn’t even suit me.”

“Someone seems to think it does,” he answers with a smirk, looking at me.

“Maxim, do you want your tongue piercing to turn into a throat piercing tonight?” I ask, and he throws his head back in laughter.

“Artem doesn’t call me sunshine,” she says, confused.

“Right, my mistake,‘solnishko’,” he says with air quotes.

She turns her head toward me, and I’m already throwing my empty glass at Max’s head as he laughs and dodges, causing it to shatter on the wall behind him.

“God, you two are fucking meant for each other. I gotta work on my moves with both of you around,” he says laughing and fake dodging a few times like he’s boxing.

“Is that what that word means?” she asks, looking at me.

“No,” I lie, “like I said before, it means little nuisance.”

“Are you lying to me again?”

“I’m being as honest as I was when I told you how much I hated you,” I say, looking into her eyes.

Our eyes stay locked for a moment, and I feel like the rest of the noise of my brothers and the room just disappears. For a moment, it’s just us again. It’s a harsh reminder that we might be the only two people in the world who understand each other like this.

13

Giselle

It feels weird walking into my old house again after three weeks. When I quickly moved into that hotel after I found out about the engagement, I told myself I’d never step foot in here again. I decided I should definitely grab the rest of my things...and I should spend some time with Caesar after avoiding him like the plague since the wedding.

“Hello?” I call out, and finally he replies.

“We’re in the living room!”

We?

I walk over to the living room and see my cousin sitting with my brother there, both with a drink like they’re having a good time.

“Leo?” I ask skeptically, and he smiles and walks over to give me a hug.

“Gigi, I’m happy to see you.” Leo stands from the couch and walks over to give me a hug. I was still a bit confused, but I hugged him back.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as we pull back from the hug.

“Well, Leo decided since I’m taking over, he wanted to get back into the family business,” Caesar says with a smile, and Leo laughs and puts a hand on his shoulder.